As one of the leading voices speaking out in support of Pussy Riot - she gave an impassioned speech (below) during a concert in Russia two weeks ago - Madonna has now released a new statement in light of this group's members being sentenced to two years in prison.

A judge decreed last week that Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina, and Yekaterina Samutsevich will spend time behind bars for disparaging Vladimir Putin outside a cathedral, an act deemed in court as "hooliganism."